The Story of Ivy · Character

Nurse Bradfield

A good-natured, aging day nurse who grows genuinely fond of her patient and, despite seeing Ivy's selfishness clearly, is disarmed by her beauty and charm.

supporting

Also known as Bradfield, Nurse

First appearance: VI

As a supporting figure in The Story of Ivy, Nurse Bradfield is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Placid, kindly nurse sent by Dr.

In the storyVIOpen this moment free

Nurse Bradfield tends Jervis Lexton with real affection and fits herself without complaint around the whims of his glamorous young wife. She notices Ivy's frivolity and self-absorption, yet is drawn in by her warmth of manner and never suspects the mind behind it. Her anxious vigilance over her patient's failing colour makes her an unwitting witness to the household's most dangerous hours.

See Nurse Bradfield in VI Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Nurse Bradfield sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Main household & mystery
Protagonist
Background & supporting cast

+8 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This is the story's dramatic climax because Ivy experiences a psychological peak of "utter, numb despair" afte…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Ivy Lexton
professional · positive
Nurse Bradfield is Ivy's caretaker and confidante, providing medical and emotional… How this plays out →
Roger Gretorex
professional · positive
Dr. Berwick
professional · positive
Ivy Lexton
professional · positive
Nurse Bradfield is Ivy's caretaker and confidante, providing medical and emotional… How this plays out →
Ivy Lexton
professional · positive
Nurse Bradfield is Ivy's caretaker and confidante, providing medical and emotional… How this plays out →
Dr. Berwick
professional · positive
Roger Gretorex
professional · positive
Roger Gretorex
professional · positive
Dr. Berwick
professional · positive

Ivy Lexton
Nurse Bradfield is Ivy's caretaker and confidante, providing medical and emotional support in a professional capacity.
Roger Gretorex
Nurse Bradfield and Roger interact in a medical context, with her providing care and him being a concerned visitor.
Dr. Berwick
Dr. Berwick and Nurse Bradfield work together as medical colleagues, coordinating Ivy's treatment.
Ivy Lexton
Nurse Bradfield is Ivy's caretaker and confidante, providing medical and emotional support in a professional capacity.
Ivy Lexton
Nurse Bradfield is Ivy's caretaker and confidante, providing medical and emotional support in a professional capacity.
Dr. Berwick
Dr. Berwick and Nurse Bradfield work together as medical colleagues, coordinating Ivy's treatment.
Roger Gretorex
Nurse Bradfield and Roger interact in a medical context, with her providing care and him being a concerned visitor.
Roger Gretorex
Nurse Bradfield and Roger interact in a medical context, with her providing care and him being a concerned visitor.
Dr. Berwick
Dr. Berwick and Nurse Bradfield work together as medical colleagues, coordinating Ivy's treatment.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Nurse Bradfield in VI

In the story

Nurse Bradfield appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VI
Placid, kindly nurse sent by Dr. Lancaster; lets Gretorex see Jervis; finds life dull.
VII
Nurse Bradfield is kind and devoted to Jervis, but she is also charmed by Ivy. She is the one who discovers Jervis's decline and informs Ivy of his death.
Chapter VIII
Nurse Bradfield is the nurse who cared for Jervis. She is supportive of Ivy and unaware of any wrongdoing, but she is surprised by the decision to hold a postmortem.
X
Suggested Gretorex see Lexton; reported Gretorex's dismay at Lexton's appearance.
XII
Interviewed by Orpington before Ivy; her testimony shapes his initial view of Ivy as frivolous but not criminal.
XVII
Mentioned as a witness who was terrified by Sir Joseph's cross-examination, and whose testimony suggested many visitors came to the flat.
XVIII
Looks wan and worn, unable to sleep; expresses doubt about Gretorex's guilt and comforts Ivy.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Nurse Bradfield unlock in the free preview.

See Nurse Bradfield in VI